Nigeria Police uncover human parts syndicate

Operatives of the Osun State Police Command in Nigeria have arrested seven suspected ritualists for possession of human body parts.

Parading the suspects at the Command headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Giwa-Alade Emmanuel, said the arrest was made following a tip-off from a concerned citizen.

Emmanuel said suspected human bone fragments, female pants and note books were recovered as exhibits from the suspects at the point of arrest.

The suspects identified as Johnson Daniel, Adetunji Okunade, Olaniyan Azeez, Balogun Temitope Asimiyu, Oladapo Hammed, Kazeem Rasak and Asaka Rauf.

“The above-named suspects were arrested upon a credible information from a good-spirited individual that one Johnson Daniel, a mortuary attendant at Ipetu-Ijesa, sells portions of human remains deposited at the mortuary to native doctors,” Emmanuel revealed.

He explained that investigation led to the discovery that the mortuary attendant, Daniel, along with his accomplice, Adetunji Okunade, conspired to sell both human remains and water used in bathing corpses to local ritualists.

According to him, when the homes of the suspects were searched, some incriminating items were recovered, including suspected human bone fragments at the homes of Asaka Rauf and Oladapo Hammed.

He said that a female undergarment and a notebook containing ritual instructions were also found at the residence of Balogun Temitope Asimiyu.

He said, “The said suspects use these remains gotten from the mortuary attendant (Johnson Daniel) for different ritual purposes. Daniel also confessed that he conspired with one other mortuary attendant named Adetunji Okunade ‘m’ to sell remnant of water used in bathing corpses to interested native doctors.

“In the course of investigation, search was conducted at the residences of these suspects which led to the recovery of fragment of substances suspected to be human skull at Asaka Rauf ‘m’ and Oladapo Hammed ‘m’ residences while a female pant and a note book containing instructions on ritual practices were recovered from Balogun Temitope Asimiyu’s residence.”

Emmanuel stated that all the suspects have been charged.

Similarly, the police also paraded five other suspects—Taiwo Adekunle, Adebayo Opeyemi, Hasan Ibrahim, Oba Wasiu, and Olajide Oladapo—for alleged armed robbery.

Exhibits recovered during the arrest include a Ford SUV, Hunter motorcycle, an empty shell cartridge, and an iPhone.

Meanwhile, the police in the state have assured the public that investigations into both cases are ongoing.

Human parts trade in Nigeria

Human parts trade, a form of human trafficking involving the harvesting and sale of human organs, tissues, and body parts, is a disturbing reality in Nigeria. Despite efforts to combat this illicit trade, it persists, fueled by poverty, corruption, and cultural beliefs.

According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), over 10,000 Nigerians are trafficked annually, with some falling victim to human parts trade.

A 2020 survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that 15% of Nigerians know someone who has been a victim of human trafficking.

The demand for human organs is high, with kidneys being the most sought-after, followed by liver, heart, and lungs. Alarmingly, human hair, bones, and skin are also traded for ritual purposes.

The Southwest region, particularly Lagos and Ogun states, are notorious for human parts trade, while the Southeast region, especially Anambra and Imo states, have also reported cases.

Shockingly, 70% of human traffickers in Nigeria are Nigerians, and some medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, have been implicated.

The consequences of human parts trade are devastating. Victims may suffer physical harm, emotional trauma, and even death. Families of victims often face stigma, economic hardship, and psychological distress.

NAPTIP has rescued over 5,000 victims since its establishment in 2003. The Nigerian government has strengthened laws, including the 2015 Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act.

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